Blog Update #5: Electronic Design Finalization

Since LA NPDT created the mechanical design, work has remained steady in producing Melodi's electronic format; this involves developing custom PCB boards for the integrated MIDI-Controller, choosing and incorporating off-the-shelf components, and tweaking the mechanical design to house all the electronics correctly.

Today, I am proud to announce that this phase is FINISHED, allowing 2020 Sound to move IMMEDIATELY onto alpha prototype development.

PCB Boards

There are two boards custom-made for Melodi: a top board, which integrates EFX Channel functionality, and a bottom board, which incorporates the piano keyboard, miscellaneous producer functions, and drum pad. Each board comes with its respective schematics, 3D models, and Bill of Materials.

Technical specifications have also been determined; please reach me directly if you want to see what is planned.

Updated Design

Please refer to the renderings below to see the latest variation of Melodi's design.

Below is a direct comparison between the mechanical design (left) and the electronic design (right).

The following are the most notable changes to Melodi's design:

• The device's width has slightly decreased.

  • This is most prevalent with the screen's side bezels and the trackpad (now closer to the QWERTY keyboard).

• The QWERTY keyboard has been reshaped to portray its respective off-the-shelf component.

  • To accommodate the new spacing, the drum pad module is a tad more rectangular all-around.

If you would like to see and interact with this new 3D model for yourself, please refer to the following link: https://lanpdt1.autodesk360.com/g/shares/SH919a0QTf3c32634dcf20d844aecfafdeaa.

Immediate Next Steps

With everything now ready to pursue alpha prototype development, the device is currently being developed as we speak. It will cost $12,000 to develop the Melodi device and $400 to produce a piano keyboard cover; a down payment of $6,200 has already been made to keep things moving.

Once the device is ready, I will be flying down to Miami, FL, to pick up the alpha prototype and perform initial testing. Afterward, focus group testing sessions will be coordinated and scheduled to gather feedback on the user experience. Further, I will reach out to potential partners for the licensing of pre-existing music-production software. I will also network with other organizations to discuss and negotiate a deal to facilitate the development and maintenance of Harmoni. If you have any questions, would like to share feedback, or would like more information on either Melodi's technicalities or next steps, feel free to reach me at 845-671-1062 or e-mail me at simonjared24@gmail.com.

September 21, 2021 UPDATE: The front page's 360-degree animation has been updated to reflect the electronic design. Attached below are more renderings submitted by LA NPDT.

Please note the new "Renderings" and "Use Scenarios" buttons in the blog's menu; refer to these selections when tracking Melodi's design and experience.